Samsung has long been a major player in the solid-state drive (SSD) market, continuously pushing the limits of dependability and performance. Professionals and tech lovers alike were eagerly awaiting the debut of the Samsung 990 EVO. We examine the Samsung 990 EVO SSD’s features, performance indicators, and practical use in-depth in this extensive study.
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After the highly acclaimed Samsung 990 Pro, the Samsung 990 EVO takes center stage, paving the way for an SSD to continue the performance and dependability tradition of the EVO series.
Although it didn’t have the same transfer rates as a contemporary PCIe 5.0, the 970 EVO Plus, this SSD’s predecessor, was nonetheless hailed as one of the best affordable SSDs available when it was first debuted a few years ago.
Thus, the 990 EVO is left with the difficult task of succeeding in a somewhat successful but also somewhat disappointing manner in replacing a well-liked budget model while offering a hybrid PCIe 4.0/5.0 interface in an attempt to carve out a position in the increasingly competitive SSD market.
The 990 EVO stands out from the competition right away thanks to its interface, which can switch between x4 PCIe 4.0 and x2 PCIe 5.0. This feature allows PC users to offer their computers some extra room if they have a lot of drives plugged in. The 990 EVO should be well-positioned for success when combined with a recently developed 5nm controller intended to boost efficiency.
However, because of its lower bandwidth, the drive’s DRAM-free design slightly tempers expectations, resulting in clock rates that are fewer than those of the top PCIe 4.0 drives.
In spite of this, the 2TB single-sided version I tested offers a flexible choice for fans of both PCs and PlayStation 5s, indicating the increasing uniformity of high-capacity, single-sided drives. Because it doesn’t include a cooling, PS5 users in particular should consider purchasing an add-on heatsink just to be safe. However, because of the speeds involved, this drive doesn’t actually get hot enough to cause concern.
With a primary focus on the laptop, OEM, and pre-built PC markets, the 990 EVO aims to provide adequate performance for daily usage and gaming, positioning itself as an enhancement to the far more powerful 990 Pro. Gamers and other users may still take advantage of Samsung’s dependable software support at a lower cost, and the drive’s ability to switch between PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0 adds significant value.
Samsung’s website states that the 1TB model of the 990 EVO should retail for $149.99, while the 2TB variant should cost $239.99. However, even at that price, these are heavily discounted, with the 1TB model available for as little as $90, £100, or AU$219, depending on where you look.
In a market where SSD prices are rising, this pricing strategy puts it in a nice balance with its Pro sister and other competitors.
The 990 EVO’s performance specs include remarkable random read and write IOPS in addition to sequential read and write speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s and 4,200 MB/s, respectively. For laptop customers who are concerned about security, these numbers are enhanced by support for TCG Opal 2.0 encryption and a standard five-year guarantee.
I mostly reached these speeds in real-world performance, and the drive’s ability to function with both PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 interfaces is a standout feature. The drive does at least reach or surpass the claimed speed, despite its low-ish 5,000MB/s sequential read performance (which doesn’t even approach filling all of the PCIe 4.0/5.0 lanes accessible to it).
Notwithstanding these technical complexities, the 990 EVO’s larger obstacle is figuring out where it fits into the very competitive SSD market. It aims to provide a balance between cost, functionality, and performance; however, this is made difficult by the competitive cost and better performance of PCIe 4.0 substitutes such as the Patriot Viper VP4300, PNY XLR8 CS3140, and 990 Pro.
Thus, all things considered, the Samsung 990 EVO is a worthy addition to the SSD market. You won’t get the same PCIe 5.0 speeds as the Crucial T705, but it’s not designed for intense performance either. A’real’ PCIe 5.0 SSD is preferable if that’s what you’re after, but for the money, the 990 EVO does what it has to do.
SAMSUNG 990 EVO: PRICE & AVAILABILITY
What is the price of it? MSRPs begin at $149.99, £100, or AU $219.
When will it be accessible? accessible right now
Where is it available for purchase? accessible in Australia, the UK, and the US
The official price of the Samsung 990 EVO is $149.99/£100/AU$219 for 1TB and $239.99/£169/AU$359 for 2TB.
This does not come with a heatsink; however, as this SSD has very low speeds and energy consumption, your motherboard’s heatsink should be more than sufficient, as you won’t even require an additional heat spreader for this drive.
Although Samsung’s website lists the above retail prices for this SSD, you can find Samsung selling these drives for as much as 40% less, which makes it one of the best affordable SSD options available if you’re looking for a decent mix between price and performance.
If..., purchase the Samsung 990 EVO.
You’re looking for good value for the money.
Although it’s not the fastest PCIe 5.0 SSD, this one performs admirably considering the price.
An SSD laptop is required.
This SSD’s primary selling point is that it prioritizes efficiency above fast performance, making it a suitable option for laptops with limited battery life.
Avoid purchasing it if...
You desire PCIe 5.0 bandwidth.
This drive’s speed is adequate for what it is, but don’t let the PCIe 5.0 interface deceive you—it won’t even allow you to use PCIe 4.0 maximum rates.
All you need is a standard SSD.
Spend less money on a less expensive SSD if all you need it for is extra capacity and you don’t really care how fast it is; you could even consider the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or other comparable PCIe 3.0 drives.
MY EXPERIENCE USING THE SAMSUNG 990 EVO
About two weeks were dedicated to my Samsung 990 EVO testing.
In addition to creating material and using it generally, I utilized it as my workstation
PC’s primary system drive and ran my usual battery of benchmark tests on it.
Using the Samsung 990 EVO as my main system drive for content creation, everyday work, and light gaming, I tested the device for around two weeks.
However, this drive is primarily meant to be used with portable devices, such as laptops and maybe handheld PC gaming systems, which can take advantage of its increased energy efficiency.
I’ve been reviewing PC hardware for a while and will graduate with a master’s degree in computer science in 2024, so I have a thorough understanding of how a drive should function given its architecture and price range. I use this knowledge to make sure you find the best SSD for your needs and budget, whether it’s a rival drive like the Samsung 990 EVO.
We take great satisfaction in our independence and meticulous review-testing procedure. We provide our evaluations with ongoing care and ensure that they are updated and maintained. Regardless of the device’s release date, if it is still available for purchase, we will review it.
Conclusion:
the Samsung 990 EVO proves to be a strong competitor in the SSD industry, establishing new standards for convenience, performance, and dependability. With its state-of-the-art features, strong endurance ratings, and affordable price, the 990 EVO solidifies Samsung’s leadership in the storage solutions market. The Samsung 990 EVO offers users looking for the best-in-class storage experience unrivaled value and uncompromising performance, whether they are using it for enterprise applications, gaming, or creating content.
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